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Following concerns raised by the European Union's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) about possible Hepatitis A contamination, Morocco's National Office for Sanitary Safety of Food Products (ONSSA) launched an inquiry.
The results of the inquiry, sent Friday to Yabiladi, confirm that both the batch of strawberries in question and the water used for its irrigation showed no presence of Hepatitis A or Novovirus.
ONSSA «quickly opened an investigation and conducted necessary checks to identify the field, packaging unit, and track the exported strawberry shipment», reads the statement.
«Officials took several samples of irrigation water and strawberries at the farm and packing facility to assess quality and identify any potential health risks», it explained.
The results, according to the same source, «showed no presence of Hepatitis A or Novovirus», and tests confirmed «no contamination of the irrigation water was detected».
ONSSA also stressed that the strawberries were intended for export, not the local market. The agency's «annual monitoring and surveillance program includes hundreds of samples of red fruits, all of which meet health safety standards», the source added.
This incident follows similar concerns raised in February when the RASFF reported finding Norovirus in Moroccan strawberries.
These concerns come amidst ongoing tensions over Moroccan produce in Europe. Spanish farmers have recently vandalized trucks transporting Moroccan fruits and vegetables, claiming «unfair competition» due to alleged «lax phytosanitary controls». Morocco maintains it adheres to all necessary regulations.
